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Brown Bears' Walker named Star of the Week

Ryan Walker of the Kenai River Brown Bears was named the Combat Hockey West Division Star of the Week by the North American Hockey League on Monday.

Walker, a 21-year-old who is from Detroit, had two goals and an assist as the Bears split with the host Fairbanks Ice Dogs on Friday and Saturday. Walker, who is 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, had his two goals and an assist in Friday’s 4-3 victory. Walker then did not have a point in a 3-2 loss Saturday, but as assistant coach Nick Shackford has said, a defenseman’s primary job is to defend.

“Ryan was excellent this past weekend,” Brown Bears coach Oliver David said in a released statement. “A lot of times defensemen don’t put up points and have an impact and Ryan is that type of guy.

“He is a guy that is a leader for our team. Teammates feed off his energy and leadership. It is important for us to know we can go into Fairbanks and be successful and Ryan is an important piece of that puzzle.”

The Bears and Dogs face off in the first round of the playoffs. The best-of-five series starts April 12 in Fairbanks with a 7:30 p.m. game.